MPs task government on food policy

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Members of Parliament on the Forum on Food Security, Population and Development want the government to draft a food security and nutrition policy to guide the country’s efforts of addressing food insecurity.

Led by the Chairperson Anthony Akol, the MPs issued a statement on Wednesday in which they expressed concern over the hunger crisis in the country aggravated by environmental degradation, natural disasters, and climate change.

The MPs say that the policy would guide harmonized interventions in ensuring food security.

Akol, the Kilak North MP said that the policy is urgently needed and that the forum has resolved to spearhead a private Member’s Bill on Food Security and Nutrition.

The MPs also want the government to ensure continuous food relief to hunger-stricken areas, saying that the drought spells and natural disasters such as those experienced in Karamoja, Kasese, and Mbale have had a great impact on the livelihood of many families.

Akol said that the government is obliged to ensure that its people do not succumb to hunger, also noting that the Constitution requires the government to promote proper nutrition among the citizens.

John Magolo, the Bungokho North MP said that the country cannot have a quality population without proper nutrition.

Magolo implored the government to embark on a sensitization campaign on aspects of the seasonal calendar, selection of best-performing inputs, post-harvest handling, processing, market, and storage.

Yusuf Nsibambi, the Mawokota South MP said Uganda would have been a regional food basket given its fairly good soils.

“It is a shame that Uganda can talk about food insecurity considering our soils and the two seasons. It is a very big shame talking about starvation in Uganda,” said Nsibambi.

He said that there is a need to give the agricultural sector more attention with adequate funding. The MPs also want the government to popularize the countrywide seed and input support to farmers.

Early this year, food shortage hit different parts of the country forcing prices of vital foodstuffs to skyrocket. The most hit areas were the Teso-sub region and Karamoja which registered deaths related to starvation.

The food crisis in Karamoja has been attributed to crop failure due to drought and increasing cattle raids.

Under the 2022/2023 budget, parliament appropriated 35 billion Shillings for the procurement of seedlings and their supply.  However, as of last week, the government was yet to release the funds to Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).

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